Matt Leinart Earns Another Shot to Prove Himself By Joining Buffalo Bills

By Dan Parzych

(Bob Donnan/USA Today Sports)

The Buffalo Bills knew they would have one of the most interesting quarterback battles this offseason with E.J. Manuel and Kevin Kolb, but injuries to both quarterbacks have caused a bit of concerned heading into the final week of the preseason. Now, it looks like the Bills will be adding a former first-round pick to the quarterback competition–Matt Leinart.

The former USC star agreed to sign with the Bills on Sunday and as crazy as it sounds–Leinart is expected to play with the team on Thursday against the Detroit Lions. Leinart may be a former first-round pick, but it’s no secret he’s failed to live up to the hype so far in the NFL as the Bills will be his fourth team since joining the league in 2006 after failed stints with the Arizona Cardinals,Houston Texans, and Oakland Raiders.

Obviously, the chances of Leinart ever starting a game during the regular season for Buffalo are slim at this point considering the team seems focused on making Manuel the quarterback of the future, but with Kolb’s status uncertain–who knows if the Bills may need him down the road. Leinart’s received plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a starter over the years, but with the type of career he’s had so far, there’s a good chance this could be his final shot to prove himself in the NFL–which means Thursday will certainly be fun to watch.